Austin Ekeler Odds and TNF Props: Ekeler Makes Himself Useful Amidst Team's Injury Woes

Manchester United midfielder Owen Hargreaves has suffered another blow after boss Sir Alex Ferguson admitted the injured England star is still some way from full fitness.

Hargreaves, 28, made just three appearances last season before being forced to undergo surgery for tendinitis in both knees.

The England star hasn t played since September 2008 and had hoped to train with the Premier League champions as they prepare for a pre-season tournament in Germany.

But Ferguson, who had already said that he did not expect the former Bayern Munich player to return to action until September, admits Hargreaves won t be rushed back.

Hargreaves will not play in this tournament, Ferguson said. We had hoped he would be joining us, but he is still in his programme of re…

Wales boss Chris Coleman could hand a surprise place to Gareth Bale if the Tottenham winger is fit to face Republic of Ireland on Wednesday.

Bale has been at the centre of one of the biggest stories of the close-season, as speculation continues to mount that he could be about to make a world record move to Spanish giants Real Madrid.

The 24-year-old has not featured for his club since July 16, with Tottenham claiming that injury rather than any thoughts over his future have been the reason behind his omission from their pre-season campaign.

Bale s latest absence came against Espanyol on Saturday, as he sat out a 1-1 draw with the Spanish club at White Hart Lane due to a foot problem.

However, he has been included in the Wales squad for the international friendly …

Porto are on the verge of completing a deal for Newcastle United defender Chancel Mbemba, according to the Mirror.

The Portuguese giants have tabled an £8m bid for the DR Congo international, who barely featured for the North East outfit last term.

He made just nine appearances in the Premier League last season, with seven of those coming from the start while he played in only twelve games during their Championship winning 2016/17 campaign.

The proposed move appeals to all parties with the twenty-three-year-old facing the prospect of playing in the Champions League while Newcastle trim their hefty wage bill.

Prior to his move to England, Mbemba had two seasons in Anderlecht’s first team helping them to the league championship in his first campaign…

Liverpool are interested in signing Ryan Gravenberch from Bayern Munich in the summer transfer window, according to journalist Ben Jacobs in . The well-known and well-respected journalist has added that it is unlikely that the Dutch midfielder will leave defending Bundesliga champions Bayern at the end of the season.

Jacobs said: “Bayern’s Ryan Gravenberch is another player Liverpool like and have already looked at in the past. As previously reported, I am told a summer move is unlikely unless both Bayern and new manager Thomas Tuchel change their position.”

Liverpool are eighth in the Premier League table at the moment with 47 points from 30 matches. Meanwhile, Bayern Munich currently find themselves at the top of the Bundesliga standings with 59 points from 28 m…

Cardiff City winger Craig Noone has admitted that he is frustrated that his chance to feature in the Premier League has not yet come.

The 25-year-old was instrumental in the Welsh club s promotion-winning campaign last season, scoring seven goals in 32 appearances after joining from Brighton.

He has watched on from the bench in three of the side s opening five league fixtures, including a shock 3-2 victory over 2011-12 champions Manchester City at the end of August.

But he was given the opportunity to impress in the League Cup, which he took with a fine goal in a 3-2 loss to West Ham on Tuesday, and he will continue to work hard for his Premier League chance.

It s a bit frustrating that I haven t played Premier League football yet, but it s also acceptable when y…

Saturday s Merseyside derby will be Steven Gerrard s last, but the Liverpool captain is not changing his approach for the game.

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard insists he will not be changing his mentality for his 33rd and final Merseyside derby against Everton on Saturday.

Gerrard is to leave Liverpool at the end of the season to join MLS franchise LA Galaxy, bringing a glittering career with his hometown club to an end.

The skipper has scored 10 goals versus Everton  including a hat-trick in 2012 and will naturally be keen to get one over on the old enemy for the last time.

But the former England international is adamant that the occasion of his last local derby will not alter his mindset at Goodison Park in a game that could prove pivotal in the race…

Inter Milan extended their lead at the top of the Serie A table to four points by beating city rivals AC Milan on Sunday afternoon.

Antonio Conte’s side went ahead after just three minutes when Lautaro Martinez headed home from a delivery from former Manchester United striker Romelu Lukaku.

Martinez doubled the advantage for the Nerazzurri on 57 minutes when a fine move saw Ivan Perisic fed him the ball to finish off.

Former Chelsea striker Lukaku wrapped up the scoring midway through the second half when he fired home a low drive into the bottom corner, with Perisic providing the assist yet again.

Milan did have chances, as Zlatan Ibrahimovic went close to equalising for the home team twice when it was just 1-0, but thereafter it was Inter who were t…

Lazio president Claudio Lotito has insisted that midfielder Hernanes will not be leaving the club.

The Brazil international has been linked with an off-season move to Paris Saint-Germain after an impressive campaign in the Italian capital.

Hernanes was part of the team which beat neighbours Roma in the Coppa Italia final, and Lotito sees the 28-year-old as a vital part of the club s development.

It is nice to know that Hernanes is liked, but we like him more than anybody else, he told Il Messagero.

We have no intention of selling him. Hernanes can not be touched because he is an integral part of the project here.

Hernanes, who joined Lazio from Sao Paulo in 2010, is currently with Brazil for the FIFA Confederations Cup.

He made 53 appearances for Vla…

Aston Villa defender Tyrone Mings has praised John Terry s influence on his development from Championship defender to England squad member.

Ex-England captain Terry has worked as an assistant coach at Villa Park since Dean Smith took over in October 2018.

Mings joined on loan in January and helped the club win promotion to the Premier League before agreeing a permanent switch from Bournemouth during in July.

The centre-back earned his first senior England call-up following an impressive start to the season and thanked Terry for his role in that journey.

John Terry has developed my game for sure, said the 26-year-old.

I ve been fortunate to work with some really good coaches over the years – Mick McCarthy, Eddie Howe, Dean Smith.

John …

Stuttgart goalkeeper Jens Lehmann confirmed on Tuesday that he will retire at the end of the season.

The ex-Arsenal and Germany shot-stopper said his final game would be against Hoffenheim on May 8, adding that he was retiring for family reasons.

I m still fit and I will miss football, said the 40-year-old father-of-three. The two seasons at Stuttgart have been great and I hope that we ll finish the season with a European qualifying spot.

Lehmann has been with Stuttgart since 2008 after having played for Schalke 04 (1988-98), AC Milan (1998), Dortmund (1998-2003) and Arsenal (2003-08), playing a total of 388 matches in the Bundesliga and 147 in the Premier League.

He also made 61 international appearances, playing in the 2006 World Cup and Euro 2008, w…